Mechanically extendable drilling stand and method of use

ABSTRACT

A mechanically extendable drilling stand configured to be installed on an in-ground drilling casing in conjunction with typical elements of the drilling stack and then extended using a height adjustment assembly to mate with a rotating head or flow nipple line at the drilling sub floor. The mechanically extendable drilling stand having an upper cylindrical conductor section configured to telescopically engage with a lower cylindrical conductor section and a sealing assembly formed between the conductor sections.

The present application for a MECHANICALLY EXTENDABLE DRILLING STAND ANDMETHOD OF USE claims priority to provisional application 62/252,230,filed Nov. 5, 2015.

Additionally, this application relates to issued U.S. Pat. No. 9,163,472filed, Sep. 16, 2012 for an EXTENDABLE CONDUCTOR STAND HAVINGMULTI-STAGE BLOWOUT PROTECTION and to U.S. Pat. No. 8,752,637 filed Aug.16, 2013 for an EXTENDABLE CONDUCTOR STAND AND METHOD OF USE; thedisclosures therein incorporated by reference.

It is contemplated that the disclosed extendable drilling stand may beused during each stage of the drilling process including the conductorstand for setting surface of the well bore and used as an A-stackassembly over an intermediate drilling casing.

A first embodiment of the present invention or extendable drilling standincluding a bottom cylindrical conductor section fitted with a weldedhigh pressure flange configured to be coupled to a mating flange weldedto the surface conductor casing or to a flange welded to an intermediateconductor casing. In one embodiment the flange configured to be coupledto the larger surface conductor casing and a reducing coupling orreducing spool piece would be used to couple to an intermediateconductor casing. An upper cylindrical conductor section configured tobe telescopically mated with the bottom conductor section, the upperconductor section also having a welded flange configured to mate to arotating head or to an optional extension spool piece. A seal assemblyformed between the bottom conductor section and top conductor sectionconfigured to prevent drilling process fluids or in-ground fluid or gasfrom leaking past the junction between the bottom conductor section andtop conductor section. In a first embodiment the bottom conductorsection will have a diameter larger than the top conductor section, andthe top conductor section sized to moveably fit inside of the bottomconductor section. In a second embodiment, the bottom conductor sectionhaving a diameter smaller than the top conductor section and the bottomconductor sized to movably fit within the diameter of the top conductorsection.

In another embodiment of the present invention or mechanicallyextendable drilling stand the length of the extendable conductor standcan be adjusted using a height adjustment and locking mechanism. Thisallows a user to bolt the bottom flange of the extendable conductorstand to a reciprocal flange on a drilling casing, to a flange on adiverter spool piece or to the flange of an inline blowout protectiondevice or BOP. With the bottom section fixed in place, the top sectioncan be raised, using the high adjustment and locking mechanism, towardthe floor of the drilling platform and set at the correct height to matewith a rotating head or to align with the flow nipple.

In one embodiment the height adjustment and locking mechanism is one ormore hydraulic cylinders or rams extending from the bottom conductorsection to the top conductor section and configured to raise the topsection a pre-determined distance. In one embodiment, having one orpossibly two hydraulic cylinders, it is contemplated that a plurality ofguild rods arranged in a radial pattern and extending between the bottomconductor section and the top conductor section will be necessary toalign the conductor sections during height adjustment. In otherembodiments having at least three hydraulic cylinders is contemplatedthat no guide rods will be required. When more than one hydrauliccylinders are used, hydraulic pressure will be balanced to ensure thatthe each of the cylinders extend or retract at the same rate and withsubstantially equal force.

In one embodiment a hydraulic power pack, including a drive motor, pump,filtration and reservoir will be substantially attached or incorporatedwith the extendable conductor stand. For example the hydraulic powerpack maybe contained in a case or box welded to the lower conductorsection. In another embodiment the hydraulic power pack maybe configuredas a cart or skid having a high pressure hose or hoses and a return hosethat can be attached to the hydraulic components of the extendableconductor stand via standard or quick connect couplings.

In one embodiment the height adjustment will be accomplished usingelectronic controls or control valves located substantially at thehydraulic power pack. In another embodiment a control pendant or remotecontrol is used to adjust the height of the extendable stand, this willallow a user to be positioned a safe distance away from any moving partsand not be directly under the drilling platform.

In one embodiment the hydraulic rams or cylinders are double acting orwill apply force during both and extension stroke and during retraction.In another embodiment the hydraulic rams or cylinders are single actingand will apply a calculated force during the extension stroke or whenthe top conductor section is being raised. The weight of the topconductor section will act to allow the single acting hydraulic rams toretract.

In one embodiment or in one method of use the height of the extendabledrilling stand is fixed or locked in place when the hydraulic power packis shut down or pump pressure is stopped; the hydraulic pressure in thecylinders will hold the drilling stand at the correct height. In anotherembodiment, manual or automatically actuated valves will be used toisolate the pressure in the hydraulic cylinders from the control systemand hydraulic power pack. In yet another embodiment, independent lockingvalves are included to isolate each hydraulic cylinder individuallycreating a redundant hydraulic locking system in the event of a brokenhose or seal failure.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the top conductor sectionis configured as a hydraulic cylinder having a sealed annular crosssection which acts as a ram and an open bore section or open center toallow for drilling operations through the extendable drilling stand.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention or extendabledrilling conductor stand the height adjustment and locking mechanism isone or more screw jack or screw drive mechanisms.

In one embodiment there is one or two synchronized screw jack driveshaving jacking rods which extend between the bottom and top conductorsections and a plurality of guide rods used to align and stabilized theextendable drilling conductor during raising and lowering operations.

In another embodiment there is three or more synchronized screw jackmechanisms which it is contemplated will operate without the use ofguide rods.

In one embodiment the screw jack mechanism is a simple stacked nutarrangement which can be manually adjusted.

In another embodiment the screw jack mechanism includes an electricdrive motor, gearbox and worm gear configured to engage the threadedjacking rods. The extension and retraction process can be accomplishedusing simple push button controls or using a remote pendant.

In yet another embodiment the height adjustment and locking mechanism isa rack and pinion gear arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following description of the embodiments can be understood in lightof the Figures which illustrate specific aspects of the embodiments andare part of the specification. Together with the following description,the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the embodiments.In the Figures the physical dimensions of the embodiment may beexaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in differentdrawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions may beomitted.

FIG. 1, is a mechanically extendable drilling stand having hydrauliccylinders,

FIG. 2, is a mechanically extendable drilling stand with guide rods,

FIG. 3, is a mechanically extendable drilling stand having a screw jackheight adjustment,

FIG. 4, is a second embodiment of a mechanically extendable drillingstand having a screw jack height adjustment,

FIG. 5, is a mechanically extendable drilling stand installed in atypical drilling stack, and,

FIG. 6, is mechanically extendable drilling stand having integralhydraulic ram.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of the present invention or mechanicallyextendable drilling stand 100, including an extendable conductor standhaving an upper conductor section 110 having a first inside diameter, alower conductor section 120 having a second outside diameter configuredto fit inside of the upper section 110. A seal assembly 150 configuredto prevent drilling fluid, water, or gases from escaping at theextension junction. The upper conductor section 110 including a highpressure flange 131 compatible with a flange typical to a rotating heador spool piece, the lower conductor section 120 including a highpressure flange 132 configured to adapt to a reciprocal flange welded ona ground conductor section or drilling casing installed in the wellcellar or to a blowout preventer (BOP). The conductor stand isextendable using one or more hydraulic cylinders 200 having a base end220 and a rod end 210. The hydraulic cylinders 200 connected to theconductor 100 section with an upper mounting bracket 221 and a lowermounting bracket 222.

Another embodiment of the present invention or mechanically extendabledrilling stand 100 is shown in FIG. 2, including a guide rod assembly300 having a plurality of brackets 321, 322 and 323. The upper guiderods 321 and 322 including a bushing assembly 330 to allow guide rod 300to slide through in a direction parallel with the extension of thedrilling stand section 100. It is understood than in order for thedrilling stand to mechanically extend without binding, three or morehydraulic cylinders 200 or a combination of hydraulic cylinders 200 inconjunction with guide rods 300 in groups of three or more must be used.In this embodiment, it is recognized that a jacking rod assembly 400, asshown in FIG. 3, or a rack and pinion gear assembly can be used in lieuof the hydraulic cylinders 200.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are embodiments of the present invention having a screwjack assembly 400. In FIG. 3, the screw jack assembly 400 includes, thejacking screw 410, a lower bracket 420, having a threaded nut 425, aupper guide bracket 421 and a drive gear box 450 including an electricmotor 451. The gearbox 450 is configured to turn the jacking screw 410,which will thread through threaded nut 425 and force the drilling stand100 to extend or contract depending upon the direction of rotation ofjacking screw 410. In FIG. 4, the jacking screw 410 is fixed to bottombracket 460 and gearbox 450 includes a threaded gear (not shown) thatwhen turned, will allow the gearbox 450 to climb or descend the lengthof jacking screw 410. It is contemplated the each embodiment of theFIGS. 3 and 4 can be equally accomplished using a rack and pinion geararrangement.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the present invention or mechanicallyextendable drilling stand 100 installed in a typical drillingarrangement including, a rotating head 610, an extension spool piece620, a BOP 630, and a diverter spool 640 all mounted on a drillingground casing. The embodiment depicted includes hydraulic cylinders 200which are connected to a hydraulic power pack 500.

FIG. 6 is another embodiment of the present invention or mechanicallyextendable drilling stand 100 where the upper conductor section 110 isconfigured as a hydraulic base having an annular pressure reservoirsection 153 and the lower conductor section 120 is configured as ahydraulic rod having an annular high pressure acting face 152. A sealingsection 151 is adapted to isolated hydraulic fluid to the pressurereservoir section 153. A wiper assembly 155 is configured near the baseend of the upper conductor section 110 to align the lower conductorsection 120 within the annular pressure reservoir section 153 and tokeep the mating surfaces between the upper and lower conductor sectionsclean. A tool ramp 154 may be formed within the diameter of the upperconductor section 110 for ease of passing drilling tools through thedrilling stand 100. The drilling stand 100 is operated using a hydraulicpower pack 500 attached at generic hydraulic quick fitting or fittings501. When a volume of hydraulic fluid is pumped into the pressurereservoir section 153, force is applied to the acting face 152 of thelower conductor section 120 and the conductor sections willtelescopically extend. In yet another embodiment, it is contemplatedthat hydraulic fluid communication can be established in the voidbetween seal assembly 151 and the bottom section of the upper conductor110 and the wiper seal assembly 155 may be replaced with a pressure sealassembly causing the mechanically extendable drilling stand 100 tofunction as a double acting hydraulic cylinder.

It is to be understood that the above mentioned arrangements are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentdisclosure. Numerous modifications or alternative arrangements may bedevised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims are intendedto cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the presentdisclosure has been shown in the drawings and described above withparticularity and detail, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to,variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner ofoperation, assembly and use may be made without departing from theprinciples and concepts set forth herein.

1. An extendable drilling stand comprising; a cylindrical bottomconductor section having, a lower flange section, a top section, acylindrical top conductor section having, an upper flange section, abottom section the top section of the bottom conductor section and thebottom section of the top conductor section configured to betelescopically coupled, a seal assembly between the bottom conductorsection and the top conductor section, and, height adjustment assemblyconfigured to mechanically extend and retract the top conductor sectionfrom the bottom conductor section.
 2. The drilling stand of claim 1wherein the height adjustment mechanism is hydraulic.
 3. The drillingstand of claim 2 wherein the height adjustment mechanism includes one ofone and two hydraulic cylinders.
 4. The drilling stand of claim 3including a plurality of guide rods axially aligned with the length ofthe drilling conductor stand.
 5. The drilling stand of claim 1 whereinthe height adjustment mechanism is three or more hydraulic ramsextending axially between the bottom conductor section and the topconductor section and arranged in a radial pattern.
 6. The drillingstand of claim 2 including a hydraulic power pack configured asstandalone skid.
 7. The drilling stand of claim 1 wherein the heightadjustment mechanism is a screw jack assembly.
 8. The drilling stand ofclaim 7 wherein the screw jack assembly including, a gear box assemblyfixedly attached to the bottom conductor section, the gear box assemblyconfigured to turn a jacking rod, a threaded jacking nut fixedlyattached to the upper conductor section, and, the jacking rod extendingfrom the gear box assembly through the jacking nut.
 9. The drillingstand of claim 7 wherein the screw jack assembly including, a gearboxassembly fixedly attached to the top conductor section, the gearboxassembly configured to turn a jacking gear, a threaded jacking rodfixedly attached to the bottom conductor section, and, the jacking rodextending from the bottom conductor section and through the jackinggear.
 10. An extendable drilling stand comprising; a cylindrical bottomconductor section having, a lower flange section, a top section, the topsection configured as an annular ram, a cylindrical top conductorsection having, an upper flange section, a bottom section, the bottomsection having an annual high pressure reservoir configured to receivethe annular ram of the bottom conductor section, the top section of thebottom conductor section and the bottom section of the top conductorsection configured to be telescopically coupled, a seal assembly betweenthe bottom conductor section and the top conductor section, and, ahydraulic power pack in communication with the high pressure reservoirof the top conductor section.
 11. A method of using a mechanicallyextendable drilling stand including, providing an extendable drillingstand comprising, an upper conductor section having, a first top endfitted with a flange, a second end, a lower conductor section having, afirst bottom end fitted with a flange, a second end, the second end ofthe upper conductor and the second end of the bottom conductorconfigured to telescopically engage, a seal assembly configured betweenthe upper conductor section and the bottom conductor section, amechanical height adjustment mechanism configured to telescopicallyextend or contract the extendable drilling stand, providing an in-grounddrilling casing, fitting the drilling casing with a flange compatiblewith the flange fitted on the first bottom end of the lower conductorsection, bolting the flange fitted on the first bottom end of the lowerconductor section to the flange fitted on the drilling casing, and,adjusting the extendable drilling stand to a desired height.